Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Milwaukee, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Median annual salary $29,910 -11.4% vs national
Median hourly $14.38
10th percentile $18,210
90th percentile $48,710
Employed locally 11,170
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Milwaukee, WI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,210
    25th
    $22,460
    50th (median)
    $29,910
    75th
    $41,040
    90th
    $48,710

    Milwaukee economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,404 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 39% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 61% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $46,390
    Lewiston-Auburn, ME $38,740
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $36,590
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $36,290
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $35,900
    Wichita, KS $34,800

    Related occupations in Milwaukee, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $28,210
    Bartenders $24,470
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $39,560
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,540
    Food Preparation Workers $33,280
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $37,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Milwaukee?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Milwaukee, WI is $14.38, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.75 or more per hour.

    Is Milwaukee above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Milwaukee, WI is 11.4% below the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Milwaukee?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $18,210 per year in Milwaukee, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,460.